Camphill calls for protection of EU nationals immigration status
Type: News | Publications | ResearchTopic: Camphill | Ecology and sustainability | Intentional communities | Policy and legislation
Published on: 4th September 2017
Camphill Scotland and the Association of Camphill Communities in Scotland (AoCC) have jointly published a report focusing on the potential impact of Brexit on our member communities. EU nationals make a significant contribution to many Camphill communities in Scotland as employees and as volunteer co-workers. Indeed, most communities rely heavily on EU nationals working and living in the communities to help provide essential education, care and support for the members of the communities with learning disabilities and other support needs.
The report, based on a survey of our members, highlights
- A total of 170 (or 68%) of the 251 short-term co-workers currently living and working in Camphill communities in Scotland are from other EU countries
- Of the 165 people working as long term co-workers, a total of 88 (or 53%) are from other EU countries
Potential consequences of Brexit
Any future restrictions upon the future freedom of movement of EU nationals, and upon their current rights to live and work in the UK, could have far reaching consequences for the Camphill communities in Scotland. Brexit will, for example, potentially make it much more difficult for Camphill communities to recruit EU nationals as employees, and as co-workers. This could place in jeopardy the long-term sustainability of many of the Camphill communities, and of the education, care and support they currently provide for people with learning disabilities, and with other support needs.
MPs called to provide reassurance
The report has been sent to MPs prior to this week’s Second Reading debate in the House of Commons on the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill. Camphill Scotland and the AoCC have called on the UK Government to provide urgent reassurance during this week’s debate that it is fully committed to ensuring EU nationals currently residing and working in the UK will have their immigration status protected after Brexit. We also believe it is vital that the UK Government must work with our EU partners towards securing urgent agreement on the rights of EU nationals to live and work in the UK post-Brexit.
